Kathmandu: Bangladeshi Minister of State for Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury has called on Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari at the Ministry in Kathmandu on Saturday.
During the meeting, Minister Bhandari emphasized the need of enhancing the volume of trade between the two countries.
He was citing the reference that the volume of import from Bangladesh to Nepal has significantly increased in recent years but the volume from Nepal to Bangladesh has remained stagnant over the years.
Reminding that Bangladesh has remained an important trade partner of Nepal, Minister Bhandari stressed on the need to bring bilateral trade relations to a new height.
As Bangladesh is a potential market for Nepal for various goods including milk and dairy products, vegetables, fruits, herbs and botanical products, yarn and pharmaceutical products, Nepali products cannot get enough access to the Bangladeshi market due to high customs duties and non-customs barriers.
Nepal and Bangladesh have been ne
gotiating a fair trade agreement since 2010, Minister Bhandari pointed out the need for both sides to focus their efforts to finalize the agreement in order to promote the economic interests of both the countries.
Extending gratefulness to the Bangladesh government for providing Nepal routes using Chittagong and Mongla port for trade with third countries, Minister Bhandari urged the Minister of State to strengthen transport relationship through the use of sea ports for the operation of Rohanpur-Singhwad railway and other trade routes.
Minister Bhandari also mentioned that the Kakadvitta-Phulbari-Banglabandh route is being used for Nepal-Bangladesh trade and Nepali trucks are bringing goods imported from Bangladesh only through India’s Phulbari customs point, which has increased the cost of transportation.
During the talks, Minister Bhandari further reminded that Nepal had presented a concept paper on using the waterways of Bangladesh at the Commerce Secretary level meeting held earlier.
“The transit treat
y between Nepal and India has provided access to inland waterways. I am expecting Bangladesh’s opinion regarding the progress made on Nepal’s the proposal regarding waterways and its possibility for Nepal to use.” Minister Bhandari said.
Mentioning that the Indian side has agreed for energy trade between Nepal and Bangladesh through the Indian transmission line, Minister Bhandari urged the visiting Minister to ensure the investment of Bangladesh in the energy sector.
Minister Bhandari shared views with State Minister Chowdhury that Nepal is an excellent tourist destination in terms of natural beauty, cultural heritage, adventure activities, biological diversity and expressed hope that Bangladeshi tourists would come to Nepal.
Minister Bhandari emphasized that such cooperation will be further expanded, noting the two countries have been exchanging cooperation on matters such as raising voices and candidacy at international platforms including the United Nations, while expanding cooperation even as least dev
eloped countries (LDCs).
During the meeting, Bangladeshi State Minister took Minister Bhandari’s opinions in a positive note and responded he would draw his Prime Minister’s attention to the issues.
Bangladeshi State Minister emphasized on connecting the private sector of Nepal and Bangladesh. Minister of State Chowdhury said that the issues arising in trade should be resolved in the meeting of the secretaries and joint secretaries of the two countries to be held in April.
Minister Chowdhury arrived Nepal today via the Kakadvitta check point
Source: National News Agency Nepal